It's the latest binge-worthy series from Netflix that many are obsessing over, but 13 Reasons Why has prompted a growing number of calls to counselling servicesfrom those alarmed by the show's content.

The series, which debuted in Australia late last month, is currently available for streaming on Netflix and depicts the suicide of the main character, a teenage girl played by Perth actress Katherine Langford.

The show presents particularly confronting and graphic imagery of the character's suicide method and means.

Executive producer Brian Yorkey said his team wanted to provide an authentic representation of the struggles young people face in high school.

"We wanted to begin by telling the truth about what effect these events would have and we felt we could tell a story, not only with integrity, but hopefully one that had a chance to resonate with young people who don't necessarily get a steady diet of truth in their entertainment," he said.

"Hopefully [it] could stand as something that was an honest representation of their experience.

"We had a number of people ask us along the way why we had Hannah kill herself the way she did, why we showed it.

"We worked very hard not to be gratuitous, but we did want it to be painful to watch.

"We wanted it to be very clear that there is nothing in any way worthwhile about suicide."

Clinical psychologist Helen Hsu worked with the cast and crew during production and said it was important to show that suicide was not pretty or easy.

"The pain never ends for her parents immediately thereafter, who are left with this horrible burden," Dr Hsu said.